Volocopter: Test flights in Osaka for the World Expo 2025

Volocopter conducted a piloted 2X flight test campaign in Osaka and Amagasaki from December 7 to 13. According to the company, all necessary tests in preparation for the Expo 2025 were completed in order to become familiar with local procedures and the environment. Volocopter plans to fly its commercial air taxi VoloCity at the Expo.

Students Discussed with

The test flights served a dual purpose: testing flight operations under conditions similar to those expected at the Expo, and raising public awareness of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Japan. In addition to numerous invited guests, over 200 elementary and secondary school students from the region participated in the event and discussed the innovative aircraft technology with Volocopter CEO Christian Bauer, Chief Test Pilot Paul Stone, Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura, and Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama.

Collaboration with Local Authorities

All flight tests were conducted at the Osaka Heliport near the planned location of the 2025 Expo Pavilion in Osaka Bay. This locational advantage provides insights and data on the actual Volocopter eVTOL operation during the exhibition. Collaboration with local authorities such as the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), local air traffic controllers, emergency teams, and infrastructure owners is expected to facilitate a quicker transition from testing to the commercial future of the industry.

“Seeing the children's beaming faces as the Volocopter took to the air was my absolute highlight of the day,” said Christian Bauer, CFO and CCO of Volocopter. “In Japan, we are focusing on raising public awareness of eVTOLs and creating a UAM ecosystem.”